ANNAN REGENERATION MASTERPLAN REPORT

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL

JULY 2010

TURLEYASSOCIATES

Contents

Consultant Team Executive Summary

01 Introduction 1

02 Baseline 4

03 Place 18

04 Consultation: What local people want to see 35

WAVE 05 Urban Design Framework: Concepts and Key Principles 44

06 Design Guidance and Regeneration Strategy 55

07 Towards an Action Plan for Annan 84

08 Delivering the Action Plan 91

Appendices:

One Funding Matrix 96 TA Ref: DUMG2001 Offi ce Address: 80 St Vincent Street Two Living Over The Shops 104 Glasgow G2 5UB Telephone: 0141 248 9233 Date of Issue: July 2010 Status: Final

TURLEYTURLEYASSOCIATESASSOCIATES 3 The Annan Regeneration Masterplan has been supported and guided throughout by members of the Annan Regeneration Steering Group. Members include:

• Cllr Sean Marshall [Chair] • Cllr Ronnie Ogilvie • Cllr Richard Brodie • Cllr Ian Carruthers • David Mundell MP • Elaine Murray MSP • Chris Brown, Dumfries and Galloway Council • Mairi Telford- Jammeh, Dumfries and Galloway Council • Derek Anderson, Dumfries and Galloway Council • Steve Southam, Dumfries and Galloway Council – Area Manager • Hugh Killen, Dumfries and Galloway Council • David Cormack, Dumfries and Galloway Housing Association • Joanne Wilson, Tenants and Residents Association • Sharon Ledger, Annan Initiative • Peter Davis, Clip ICT • Roderick McCallum, Friends of Annan Museum • Frank McGowan, Royal Burgh Annan Community Council • Michael Forsyth – Royal Burgh Annan Community Council • Ross McWhirter, Scottish Enterprise • John Panczak, Federation of Small Businesses • Neil Macgregor, Katalyst • David Smith, DS Properties • Edwin Blythe, Pinneys

4 TURLEYASSOCIATES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. This report sets out an ambitious but realistic regeneration masterplan for 7. The regeneration masterplan identifi es a direct link between increasing the town of Annan. Its aim is to improve Annan as a place to live, work service sector employment, the retail performance of the town centre, the and visit. The team was led by Turley Associates and supported by Tom retention of young people and the look and feel of the heart of the town. Langlands (Architects Plus), Peter McCaughey (WAVE) and Brown and Analysis undertaken during the study uncovered a town rich in townscape, Wallace as cost consultants. architectural quality, history and community infrastructure but one where these strengths were unrecognised. A high quality Town Centre will be a 2. Developed with support from the Annan Regeneration Steering Group powerful vehicle in the Town’s social and economic regeneration. and Dumfries and Galloway Council, the plan was underpinned by an extensive community engagement process. Local people made a 8. The analysis uncovered a High Street that was outstanding at one end but signifi cant contribution to the development of this strategy. weak at the other; a lack of people living in the town centre creating a ‘no go’ area at night; historic development patterns that had stretched north 3. This plan is one of a series of studies that will identify regeneration and effectively dragged investment away from the town; and, a harbour solutions that minimise the local economic impact of the decommissioning that presented exciting opportunities but was quite a separate project from of the Chapelcross Nuclear Power Plant. The decommissioning, currently the overall regeneration of the town. Annan needs regeneration that is underway, will result in the direct loss of 400 skilled local jobs and an about a careful process of repair, reinvention and revitalisation focussed indirect impact on local employment that is harder to predict. The closure on its Town Centre. of Chapelcross will have a signifi cant and detrimental impact on Annan. Many skilled engineers and plant operatives are employed at the plant 9. The regeneration strategy recognises this focus and is based on simple and live locally. concepts aimed at re-strengthening the structure of the town. It seeks to strengthen the core; extend the spine; improve the gateways; and, bring 4. Many of the Chapelcross employees have skills that are valuable and people and activity back into the heart of the town. transferable. This study also considered the broader employment statistics for Annan. These show a majority of local people employed in 10. It is a fl exible strategy that identifi es a number of precise development, manufacturing and within that, a signifi cant proportion employed in food investment and community infrastructure projects; shows what they could processing and machine handling - relatively low paid and low skilled look like and how much they might cost. Taken together these projects employment. These individuals are predominantly employed in large local total £50 million of public and private investment over a 15 - 20 year action businesses, all of which compete in a market where minimising the cost plan. The strategy is fl exible and should always remain so. Local people of labour is a business imperative. demonstrated great imagination and passion throughout the process. New ideas should be encouraged and welcomed where they refl ect the 6. In contrast to many small towns in southern Scotland, Annan has very core development principles. low numbers of local people employed in the service and tourist sector. Commonly, it is this sector that provides employment to people with 11. The report concludes with a chapter that identifi es potential delivery limited skills and educational attainment. The town also suffers from a mechanisms for the regeneration strategy. It recognises the role of Annan very signifi cant leakage of food and non food retail spend to Dumfries and Regeneration Steering Group and identifi es this organisation as the basis Carlisle and out migration of young people (25 - 40). for any future delivery vehicle.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 5 6 TURLEYASSOCIATES IIntroductionntroduction

.01 2 TURLEYASSOCIATES BACKGROUND .01 Purpose of Report

1.1 This report, commissioned by Dumfries and Galloway Council, sets out • The Corridor Regeneration Strategy (CoReS) an ambitious but realistic regeneration masterplan solution for the town • LDP Main Issues Report of Annan. It will help inform investment decisions within the context of the Gretna, Lockerbie and Annan (GLA) Corridor and Corridor Regeneration • Local Housing Strategy (LHS) Strategy (CoReS). • The Chapelcross Masterplan

1.2 Although commissioned by Dumfries and Galloway Council, the • Townscape Heritage Initiative masterplan team have reported throughout to the Annan Regeneration • The Solway Energy Gateway feasibility study Steering Group which includes Dumfries and Galloway Councils Strategic planning service, elected members, representatives from the local and business community, Annan Initiative and Annan Community Council. A Understanding the Brief full list of all steering group members can be found in Appendix 1. 1.6 Annan has long been established as a strong industrial centre within 1.3 Ultimately the masterplan identifi es a number of projects which are Dumfries and Galloway. While other towns have developed signifi cant achievable in the short (next fi ve years), medium (fi ve to ten years) service sector economies, Dumfries in particular, Annan has continued to and long term (15 years). Its aim is to improve Annan as a place to live attract and sustain a substantial industrial employment base (the largest (housing, community facilities, services and infrastructure), work (sustain in the region) thanks to employers such as: current employment and attract new investment) and visit (promotion of the town’s unique attributes and provision for visitors, as well as local • Chapelcross (currently being decommissioned) people, of suitable attractions / facilities). • Young’s Seafood 1.4 The masterplan recognises the important interaction with the emerging • Pinney’s Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan (LDP). The LDP process • Cochran Boilers is necessarily independent but there will be opportunities for partnership working and continued engagement as the process moves forward. • Phoenix Chemicals

1.5 This report also refl ects and sits alongside other pieces of work currently in preparation. It is important that this work is not duplicated and where 1.7 While unemployment levels are relatively low, Annan is dependent upon necessary reference is made to various documents and initiatives, which the fortunes of these large local businesses. Not only that, but once where include: there were companies that were once ‘Annan born and bred’ there are now large companies that are ‘branch plants’ and are subject to external decision making.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 13 42 TURLEYASSOCIATES BACKGROUND

1.8 In comparison other towns have spent many years developing a more Consultation and Consensus diverse employment base, particularly in the service sector. This process has been supported by theming initiatives, e.g. Gretna Gateway, 1.11 Key to the development of the masterplan has been the unity and Kirkcudbright ‘Artist Town’ and Castle Douglas ‘Food Town’. Mapping a consistency of the Annan Regeneration Steering Group. From the outset path toward greater diversifi cation of employment is a key objective of the the group emphasised the need to fully embrace extensive, inclusive masterplan. and innovative consultation and engagement with local people in the process. The consultation framework has formed the back bone to the 1.9 Growing the importance of the service and tourism industries will be critical masterplanning process for Annan. in establishing this diversity. The attractiveness of Annan as a place to live will be a key parameter in increasing activity in these sectors. 1.12 Local people have directly informed each masterplan stage and the development of all concepts and proposals. It is genuinely their masterplan A Flexible Masterplan for their town.

1.10 The process of regeneration and diversifi cation will take time. The masterplan must remain relevant and fl exible. For this reason it focuses upon a series of progressive development opportunities and investments in place and community. The result is a realistic document that can be used up until 2025.

Masterplan Aims

• Maximise the economic potential of Annan • Secure sustainable economic development and employment opportunities • Develop the profi le of Annan • Develop the event tourism potential • Integrate enterprise, housing, commerce and leisure • Identify development sites in locations that maximise their economic impact

TURLEYASSOCIATES 35

BBaselineaseline

.02 Scotland Dumfries and Annan Dumfries Gretna Lockerbie Galloway Population 5,062,011 147,765 8,389 31,146 2,705 4,009 Industry of employment Manufacturing 13.65 % 13.45 % 27.88 % 11.96 % 17.56 % 18.88 %

Wholesale and retail trades 13.30 % 14.62 % 12.48 % 16.55 % 17.74 % 15.23 %

Public administration 7.23 % 6.37 % 7.08 % 8.63 % 7.40 % 5.45 %

Health and social work 12.63 % 13.62 % 9.66 % 19.68 % 7.49 % 11.67 %

Occupation groups Managers and senior 12.63 % 10.54 % 6.57 % 10.06 % 7.49 % 10.37 % offi cials Professional occupations 11.20 % 7.53 % 5.21 % 8.97 % 3.03 % 6.69 %

Figure 2.1 - Employment Comparisons (the fi gures are a percentage of the Scotland / region / settlement population and use the 2001 Census data, www.scrol.gov.uk)

84 TURLEYASSOCIATES BASELINE .02 Strategic Context • Migration patterns: youngest leaving to obtain higher education, and older population retiring or returning to area. Regional • Lower proportion of small children: reduced birth rate (national trend) 2.1 Dumfries and Galloway shares characteristics with many other rural and decline in female population of child-bearing age (local trend) communities and economies across Scotland. These include, but are not • Key transport routes: M74 (N/S); A75 Euro Route (to Stranraer) and exclusive to: A7 (tourist route Carlisle to Edinburgh); and

• Large proportions of population living in small communities (i.e. less • Nith Valley railway – Carlisle to Dumfries, with station at Annan. than 4,000 population) or in the countryside; • Distinctive rural economy, with high economic activity rates (82%) and business start up rates; Jobs and Employment • High employment and relatively low unemployment; leading to Manufacturing inherent shortage of available labour and skills for employers 2.3 Annan is situated some 15 miles from the regional centre of Dumfries • High self-employment, part-time and seasonal employment and to the west of the M74 and Gretna. The Town has developed from • Less than average levels of household income and lower wage its historical roots in shipbuilding and agriculture to become a centre for jobs; engineering and manufacturing within the region.

• Declining birth rates in tandem with ageing population; 2.4 The large employers identifi ed earlier continue to provide employment for • Increased economic performance (and prosperity) but this remains signifi cant numbers of local people. However, the valuable engineering below average – i.e. the productivity gap remains; and apprenticeships that helped develop Annan as a centre of excellence have been replaced by jobs that are focussed on processing and machine • Imbalance between employment within private and public sectors, handling. While valuable locally, these jobs require less skill, are lower paid and as such this could be a future weakness and threat. and as a consequence offer less opportunity for career development.

Sub-Regional Small Businesses

2.2 Within Dumfries and Galloway, Annandale and Eskdale is characterised 2.5 Although there has been a reduction over the years in business associated by following key attributes: with traditional engineering, Annan still maintains a strong element of small businesses and a continuous level of small business start ups (82 • 37,000 population with Annan largest settlement (circa 9,000); in 2009). These businesses should be nurtured and opportunities made available to support and grow them within the town. • Annan population itself declined by 2.8% during 1991 to 2001

TURLEYASSOCIATES 59 Figure 2.2 - Annandale and Eskdale Local Plan Proposals Map

106 TURLEYASSOCIATES BASELINE .02 Service Sector / Tourism and specifi cally those related to employment sectors of manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and tourism. 2.6 The service sector in Annan is generally limited to local shops, pubs and cafes. The arrival of Tesco in 2009 brought a further 180 service sector 2.11 The Gretna Lockerbie Annan (GLA) Corridor Regeneration Strategy jobs to the town. However the numbers of people employed in this sector (CoReS) was established in June 2002, following the announcement by are statistically lower in Annan than the average across Dumfries and British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) that its intention was to cease generating Galloway. electricity at Chapelcross by March 2005.

2.7 Annan is a beautiful Town and its natural setting, particularly its proximity 2.12 It was estimated at the time that the closure would result in the loss of 430 to the Solway Firth, is of some note. Add to this its role at the start of high quality jobs at the site with potentially an additional 300 job losses the Annandale Way, the various leisure activities nearby (such as golf in the area. While this is of concern it is not an isolated problem. There and mountain biking) and its rich history, and one would expect a better have been a number of recent closures and economic losses associated tourism potential. There is however little sign of a growing tourist market with some of the area’s largest and most signifi cant local businesses, e.g. in the area. Young’s Seafood and Shasum Pharma amongst others. These diffi culties have focussed discussions on the need to diversify Annan’s economic 2.8 In terms of tourism Annan has a number of hotels, Bed and Breakfast base. establishments and of course the nearby caravan parks, however the proportion of local people employed in tourism related activities is 2.13 CoReS identifi es four objectives for achieving economic regeneration: incomparable with other small towns nearby like Gretna or Kirkcudbright. Many local towns have invested heavily in developing their tourism • Wealth – raise income and living standards; potential through theming what the town offers. • Diversity – new / different economic opportunities for sustainable growth; 2.9 Annan is not particularly well located for day visitors, most of whom use the M74 as the basis for planning their journey. Over the last few years • Inspiration – vision, common ownership and aspiration; and Gretna has benefi tted from its direct relationship with this important route. • Inclusion – residents much benefi t from regeneration. Annan is considered as a place to visit off the main route, it is not generally considered a place to spend time and therefore the Town fails to capture large numbers of over night visitors. 2.14 Annan and the wider sub-region have a number of clear challenges and opportunities to address. In short, the CoReS area is experiencing a A Growing Need for Diversifi cation decline in the working age population that in turn affects skilled labour availability. In addition, the area is perceived to suffer from peripherality 2.10 The Galloway Economic Review (2007); Regional Economic Strategy; and to the major economic centres across the Scottish Central Belt. the Single Outcome Agreement identifi ed a need for social and economic regeneration in Annan and the sub-region to address wider challenges,

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Figure 2.3 - Community Plan extract

128 TURLEYASSOCIATES BASELINE .02 2.15 The masterplan process, and particularly the stakeholder sessions, 2.18 There are fi ve key CoReS themes of most relevance to Annan: highlighted a number of issues specifi c to the future of the Town. Broadly the population of Annan could be categorised into the following employment • Diversifying beyond Chapelcross, which includes both existing groups: workforce and also encouraging new uses for the site; • Improving connectivity; i. Mobile and well educated, mainly working outwith the town in Carlisle and Dumfries etc. They have families and their children • Maximising return and value on natural resources and the impact follow a similar pattern and leave following education. of local business on the local economy; ii. Engineering background (e.g. Chapelcross), based and • Attraction of new sector opportunities and associated investment; focused on Annan but who are also relatively mobile and with a and transferable skill set. Some of those who left Chapelcross and • Enhance and promote area distinctiveness and competitive other plants went on to become self employed. advantage, e.g. build upon its attraction as place to live, work, visit iii. Lower wage earners who are employed at local factories and and invest. processing plants. They have lower educational attainment, are less mobile and work locally. 2.19 The re-use of Chapelcross as an employment use in the future would iv. Another workforce – shopkeepers etc and tourist based be hugely signifi cant to the town as a whole. Currently a business use is employment? being proposed on the eastern edge of the Chapelcross site which could 2.16 These groups are found in every town in Dumfries and Galloway. What include an upgrade of the B722 to an ‘A’ class road connecting Annan to is strikingly different in Annan is the high proportion of people employed the M74. in the third group engaged in unskilled process manufacturing compared with a very low number of professionals or people working in the service 2.20 The Chapelcross masterplan is in fi nal draft form. It proposes a series sector. of employment uses across the site, including high spec business units. There is little doubt of the positive impact that large numbers of employment 2.17 CoReS is focussed on the impact of Chapelcross, however the programme opportunities, particularly professional opportunities, would have in Annan itself recognises the impact of the closure of one of the Town’s major but it is unclear whether the market would overlook the obvious locational employers. The third workforce group is particularly vulnerable in that disadvantages or the negativity surrounding the sites previous use. they are less mobile, with fewer skills, lower educational attainment and therefore less adaptable to market change. Indeed this group is more vulnerable than many of the skilled engineers that are affected by the closure of Chapelcross. Interestingly this group are precisely the type of workforce that traditionally benefi t from an increase in the availability of service sector / tourism jobs.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 139 Shopping - A District Centre 2.25 Within the town there are a variety of small independent retailers and businesses. Increasingly over the last 10 to 15 years such businesses have Annan’s Role in Dumfries and Galloway struggled through a combination of the loss of traditional town markets, a shift in consumer shopping patterns and particularly and specifi cally 2.21 Within the Adopted Annandale and Eskdale Local Plan 2006 Annan is within Annan is the issue of the limited availability of short term and / or designated as a District Centre, and as such has an important role to affordable High Street leases as well as limited availability of High Street play in terms of providing a signifi cant volume of employment, retail and upper fl oors. These factors have resulted in a distinct lack of opportunity services to the town and its hinterland. for both existing businesses to expand and also for new businesses to be able to afford to start up. 2.22 In recent years this role has been diminished, possibly prompted by the loss of the towns traditional markets in the mid 1990s. There has been an 2.26 During the stakeholder sessions many people expressed the view that ongoing decline in footfall along the High Street. Indeed there seems to since Tesco opened in December 2009, that the High Street had become have been a specifi c reduction in visitors from outwith the immediate town busier. The suggestion being that people from Annan’s hinterland will use boundaries. In turn this has had an affect on the quality, and on the range the Annan Tesco and then travel into the High Street to browse. Previously of shops, operating with the town centre. these same visitors would have simply travelled to Tesco (or equivalent supermarket) in towns such as Dumfries or Carlisle. These claims are Retail unsubstantiated and will need to be tested further over a period of time. They do offer the possibility that strengthening physical links to Tesco 2.23 The DPP (planning consultancy) research that supported the Tesco could increase the numbers of shoppers visiting / staying in the Town. planning application, showed the levels of ‘spend’ leaving Annan for food and non-food shopping to be considerable: 2.27 Any retail capacity in Annan has been satisfi ed by the new Tesco store. Within the town Somerfi eld, Costcutter and Farmfoods form a ‘food retail • Non-food = 75% loss (50% Carlisle and 25% Dumfries) core’ around Fish Cross and Butt Street. There might be the opportunity • Food = 62% loss (43% Carlisle and 19% Dumfries) to convert one of these stores into a greater competitor for the new Tesco store and thus attract / retain more town centre shoppers. Alternatively, the site of one of these stores may become available should Tesco have 2.24 These fi gures illustrate a very signifi cant leakage and its testament to the a signifi cantly adverse effect on the town centre food retail market. hard work of local shopkeepers that the High Street has remained as a retail force at all. The leakage of food retail is likely to decrease now that Tesco is based in the town, however the impact on food retailers along the High Street must also be considered.

1410 TURLEYASSOCIATES BASELINE .02 A Place to Live - Housing • OPP8 - Silverlaw Industrial Estate • OPP9 - Port Street (Bridge House) Background • OPP13 - Scott’s Street / Solway Street 2.28 Annan regeneration masterplan will feed into the preparation of the new Local Development Plan (LDP), and in the fi rst instance it’s Main Issues Report. The masterplan, with the anticipated ‘buy-in’ from the community Other Sites currently subject to active planning permissions through the extensive consultation strategy, identifi es priorities for the area up to 2025. The Annan Regeneration Steering Group will be set the • Housing site Solway Street (09/P/4/0296) approved for 15 plots and task of delivering the regeneration priorities over the development plan road layout period in order for the town to prosper as a place to live, work and visit. • Ednam Street (07/P/4/0466, recently permitted for 10 fl ats and two houses The Adopted Local Plan

2.29 Over the course of the adopted Local Plan the identifi ed housing 2.32 What seems to be happening is a very gradual transition between industrial development sites, located by in large at the northern edge of the town land and its redevelopment for residential use. adjacent to the A75, have been developed to the extent of approximately 150 units out of a total of 250 units identifi ed between 2001 and 2009. The Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) remaining 105 unit site (Policy LA4 – Upper Stapleton Road) and ‘reserved housing land (Policy LA35 - Upper Stapleton Road) are considered 2.33 The Housing (Scotland) Act places a duty on the Council to develop a available for housing development over the short term. It had been hoped Local Housing Strategy (LHS), informed by an assessment of housing that through the development of these sites a variety of housing types need in the region. The Council commissioned a comprehensive analysis would be built to cater for the emerging ‘affordable ‘market’. This does not of housing need and demand in order to determine the range of housing appear to have been the case. need, demand and affordability issues within the area; and to provide a robust and credible evidence base to inform future strategic planning. 2.30 Within the Local Plan there are other sites identifi ed for business and industrial. Signifi cantly site PLA2.1 Stapleton Road, as well as the 2.34 The study identifi ed 6 distinct Housing Market Areas (HMA’s) in Dumfries adjoining land between PLA2.1 and the A75, has been granted planning and Galloway. One of these is the Annan HMA which includes the main permissions for housing, business and industry which will facilitate an settlements of Annan, Eastriggs, Gretna/Gretna Green and Springfi eld. It upgrade of the local road network. This planning permission has been is anticipated that the HNDA will be assessed as robust and credible by granted to Katalyst. the Scottish Government which means the key fi ndings will not normally be challenged at the Public Inquiry stage of the Council’s emerging Local 2.31 There a several opportunity sites also identifi ed which will be considered Development Plan (LDP). for development within the masterplan:

TURLEYASSOCIATES 1511 2.35 The HNDA should be utilised as the local mechanism to address the • Further green fi eld release; national priority to increase housing supply across all tenures. The study • Partial demolition of under performing stock and replacement with identifi ed signifi cant current and future shortfalls in affordable housing new build; or as well as an under supply at the lower end of the housing market and an oversupply at the upper end of the housing market. To tackle these • Intensifi cation of repopulation in the town centre through re-use of issues effectively it is vital that the outputs from the assessment should be upper fl oors and identifi cation of brownfi eld sites for higher density utilised to integrate the Council’s LHS and LDP. The LHS will set out the development. Council’s key strategic housing priorities and, where appropriate, the LDP will make the housing land allocations to deliver them. 2.40 All these factors point to an important question, ‘where does Annan 2.36 The Council proposes to consult on its LHS and Main Issues Report extend to in the future?’. This is something that must be addressed by simultaneously and it is proposed this commences in November 2010. the masterplan through indicative mapping and development briefs. The It is in this context the housing elements of the Annan Regeneration outcome of that process will in turn inform the Main Issues Report (MIR) Masterplan will start to be prioritised and delivered. and LDP.

2.37 The proposed housing sites identifi ed in this Masterplan will be highlighted Townscape Heritage Initiative in the Council’s Main Issues Report which should lead to Annan being 2.41 The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Dumfries and Galloway Council and identifi ed as a priority for housing investment in the proposed LDP. The Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway are jointly funding a restoration town has good road access, high public transport accessibility and a project in Annan as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative. The project range of facilities which means it can achieve the key policy principle of has been underway since 2008 and is due for completion in September delivering sustainable development within the Annan HMA. 2010. 2.38 The lack of affordable housing and the possible role it might be playing 2.42 The scheme categorised buildings within the conservation area for priority with regard to the out migration of young people from the town is an issue grant funding. On the whole there has been a very successful take up that must be considered and where possible addressed. It should also from local businesses. There has also been improvements delivered to be recognised that there will be a growing need for affordable housing to the public realm around Annan Town Hall and the War Memorial. meet the needs of the growing older population in Annan.

2.39 It is the view of Dumfries and Galloway Council that housing will play a major role in driving Annan forward in the course of the development plan period. What is unclear however is what form residential development might take. For example:

TURLEY12 ASSOCIATES TURLEYASSOCIATES16 BASELINE .02 New Opportunities 2.46 The signifi cance of such a project should not be underestimated. Not only would it provide a catalyst and focus on the Firth that could help Renewable Energy the regeneration of the Port area, but the opportunity to use the existing infrastructure at Chapelcross and its links to the grid are enormous. A 2.43 The initial feasibility study for the Solway Energy Gateway was published development of this nature could result in signifi cant investment and job in December 2009 (Mott MacDonald, RSK and Halcrow). The study creation in the region, as well as providing opportunities for niche skills considers a range of options for generating power at various locations on and knowledge development. the Solway Firth. The study identifi es the potential to generate from under 100MW to around 6GW of power. The selection process identifi ed three 2.47 A project such as this could signifi cantly add to the growing reputation options for generating the power. These were barrage, lagoons and tidal that Dumfries and Galloway is embracing renewable energy and driving reef. forward a new culture of sustainability. Adding to the SSCI Ladyfi eld project, the Crichton Carbon Centre and the proposed Harestanes wind 2.44 Due to the differences in tidal steam velocities and channel depth the farm (one of many proposals in Dumfries and Galloway), Dumfries and study identifi ed that the locations that would generate the most signifi cant Galloway will be well on its way to being the most sustainable region of amount of energy would be towards the mouth of he Solway. However, Scotland. all options would need to be considered against the criteria of technical, fi nancial and environmental feasibility. The result of that feasibility was 2.48 For the purpose of the masterplan the potential of these projects should a traffi c light system to identify what options were possible. The barrage be recognised but not considered as a fundamental element in the option from Bowness to Annan was considered to be ‘orange’ across regeneration of Annan over the next 15 years. the three feasibility criteria. The most technically and fi nancially feasible option (a barrage at Southerness Point to Beckfoot) would however be one of the most environmentally sensitive options.

2.45 The report concludes that the Solway is one of several key estuarine environments in the UK that could generate signifi cant amounts of renewable tidal energy. However, there would be signifi cant environmental impacts. The confl ict arises as in order for energy generation to be worthwhile it would likely need one of the larger schemes which would inevitably have the greatest environmental impact. However, the report highlights that the confl ict can be overcome to varying degrees through the application of different technologies, optimisation of operating regimes and by maximising the benefi ts of the specifi c physical characteristics.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 1713 Communications and Digital Infrastructure

2.49 Currently Annan suffers from poor internet connections with low bandwidth serving the town from an old DSL exchange (currently 1mb download speeds). In order for the town to develop, diversify and attract investment for any scale of business or industry, the digital infrastructure must be at least competitive with other similar settlements but a superior offer would set it apart from other rural Scottish towns.

2.50 Not only is this important for business, but it is also signifi cant in terms of offering young people a ‘modern quality of life’ and providing an option to remain in the area and seek education or job opportunities while still based in Annan. The importance of continuing to attract young families to the area who have potentially become very accustomed to fast broadband in the larger towns and city’s is also vital. In attracting young families this will help to maintain school roles in the town.

2.51 Annan currently has a fi bre optic cable laid along the high street which offers tremendous potential and a basis for a number of suggested models of delivery.

The Problem 2.52 Annan, as with most of rural Scotland, is extremely unlikely to have fast broadband provided by the private sector, it simply is not commercially viable to lay the fi bre optic infrastructure across the town. The public sector intends to wait to see what areas are left out before they consider how they might deliver the service. By this point, potentially 2017, towns like Annan will have been left far behind in terms of its technological capabilities and ability to attract business and retain and attract young people who’s lives depend to a large extent on the internet.

TURLEY14 ASSOCIATES TURLEYASSOCIATES18 BASELINE .02 Summary of Key Issues and Opportunities • Rail networks restrict ability to commute to Central Belt • Lack of recognition of social economy and rural poverty Summary • Dependence of voluntary sector on grant funding 2.53 The challenges facing Annan can best be outlined as: • Lack of capacity (sewerage and water) to support new Strengths development • Lack of broadband facilities • High quality natural environment • Good road networks Opportunities • Gateway to D&G and Scotland • Chapelcross closure • Strong sense of local community • Gateway to Dumfries and Galloway and Scotland • Low crime rates, low unemployment, growth of self-employment • Expansion of further and higher education • Loyalty and fl exibility of workforce • Benefi ting from skills of older population within communities • Thriving and wide ranging activity of voluntary sector • External funding; Social economy development funding available • Relatively low house prices • Active experienced older population Threats • Social enterprises – ability to use external funding for development • Ageing population • Decline traditional industries Weaknesses • Speed of infrastructure development • Declining male employment • Chapelcross Decommissioning • Dependence on agriculture and key employers • Globalisation and urbanisation of workforce • Low levels of educational attainment • Closure of rural schools and fragility of limited childcare facilities • Low job mobility and lack of career structures • Leakage of economy to neighbouring regions • Low levels of pay • Lack of capacity to access external funding – limits effectiveness of • Low car ownership and dependence on public transport voluntary and community sectors

TURLEYASSOCIATES 1915 2016 TURLEYASSOCIATES BASELINE .02 Taking Regeneration Forward The Key Challenge - Demographic

2.54 Annan is potentially vulnerable. It has many strengths and is without 2.58 Annan is in line with the Scottish average (2001 census data) for the age question a place with great potential, however it also faces a number of group 0-16 year olds. There is then a signifi cant drop in 16-29 year olds key challenges with regard to its employment profi le, lack of economic as young people migrate away from the town, however it levels back out diversifi cation, loss of young people and locational disadvantage. with the Scottish average for 30-44 as many people return to the area to raise their families. 2.55 There is a growing need to put in place a dedicated initiative to drive forward the transformation of the Town and realise the natural strengths 2.59 The fi gures remain level for 45-59 year olds but are signifi cantly higher for that the Town has. The Annan Regeneration Steering Group could form 60-74 year olds. Annan is an attractive place for people to retire due to the the core delivery mechanism for this regeneration masterplan. relationship between manageable geographical size, range of facilities available and strategic road network connections. 2.56 The most recent indication of strategic policy and community planning is contained within the Dumfries and Galloway Council Single Outcome 2.60 Annan in the future has to be seen as a place where young and old have a Agreement for 2009/11. Moving forward this identifi es a number of regional unique quality of life, where the town centre can provide a living and retail outcomes that will be the thrust and direction of policy / action aspirations environment that is genuinely exciting as opposed to functional. Annan for the next few years. needs to be transformed not physically but in terms of how it is perceived by locals and visitors alike. • Innovative and prosperous rural economy; • Healthy and happy lives; • Feeling safe and respected within community (supporting communities); • Better equipped for adapting to evolving world and improved life chances; and • Providing an environment that is not only protected but enhanced.

2.57 In short, these are each of particular relevance to the delivery of a sustainable and all-inclusive approach to economic regeneration in Annan. In particular these outcomes seek to demonstrably build upon and further address the existing positive attributes and weaknesses of the locality.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 2117

PPlacelace

.03 PLACE - SURVEY

Survey

3.1 The baseline section illustrates that the town has signifi cant challenges over the next 10 - 15 years.

3.2 Diversifi cation of the employment base, growth in the service sector and optimisation of tourism opportunities are by no means easily achieved but are important in terms of Annan achieving a balanced and robust economy with the potential to grow.

3.3 The existing situation as identifi ed in the baseline would be all the more concerning if Annan did not have a natural strength to build upon.

Physical Place 3.4 Annan is blessed with a beautiful natural setting, two miles from the mouth of the River Annan and the Solway Firth. The town has a population of Figure 3.1 - Figure Ground Figure 3.2 - Topography approximately 9,000 and is relatively well connected in terms of transport infrastructure to Dumfries, 15 miles away, and east to the M74 and Gretna. However, in comparison to Gretna for example, Annan is not as directly accessible by a large volume of people and in comparison to Kirkcudbright for example it does not currently represent a ‘destination’ to generate specifi c journeys.

3.5 The town benefi ts from its relative proximity and ease of access to the central belt as well as England. However, generally as house prices are below the national average, it attracts a signifi cant number of people relocating within the age group of 65+, and not necessarily younger working age people. Added to this is the high proportion of young people leaving the area. The result is much lower proportion of wage earning adults in Annan.

Figure 3.3 - Flood Risk Figure 3.4 - Landscape

2418 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE - SURVEY .03

Environment • One Regional Scenic Area

Topography • Six Nature Conservation Sites of National Importance 3.6 Annan is set within the generally fl at landscape of the coastal fl ats of the • Five Nature Conservation Sites of International Importance Upper Solway. The River Annan and its shallow valley lies to the western edge of the town with the main bridging point located at the western edge of the towns east to west central highway. Land around the river is prone Infrastructure to fl ooding with substantial fl ood plains stretching into Everholm Park. The Road result of the open fl ood plains is that the town projects from the landscape when arriving from the west and provides a visually dramatic approach. 3.11 In terms of connection to the rest of Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and indeed England, Annan is extremely well situated and served by 3.7 Within the town there are also a series of more locational drops, falls and numerous strategic road links which have seen good levels of investment. high points. These include the motte and bailey and some areas of raised The A75 (Annan bypass) was constructed in 1989 and further enhanced land north of the town towards the A75, and south towards the Solway. the connections east to Carlisle and the M74 / M6 linking north to Glasgow / Edinburgh and south towards England. Landscape 3.8 The landscape surrounding the town is very clearly agricultural in nature. Rail For hundreds of years the lands have been extensively farmed with the result of little in the way of mature wooded areas. Instead fi eld boundaries 3.12 Annan is served by a single railway line which connects Carlisle to Glasgow break up the landscape with several linear areas of tree planting alongside via Annan, Dumfries and Kilmarnock. There has previously been a railway various vehicle routes. line running through Annan in a north to south direction which crossed the Solway on a viaduct, however, this line was dismantled in 1936 following Flooding the removal of the remains of the viaduct which collapsed in 1920s.

3.9 Areas at risk from fl ooding from the sea constitute the majority of land Water and Drainage affected within the town (1 in 200 year event area). Of particular note is the harbour area of the town where buildings and infrastructure in and 3.13 Annan’s sewage treatment works is located to the south of the town around Port Street are most adversely affected. Such issues will have a where work has been carried out to improve the quality of the effl uent serious affect on any future proposals for redevelopment of the harbour so that it does not form a constraint on new development in the town. area. However, there may be localised network constraints within the sewage pipe system. Environmental Protection 3.10 There are various environmental designations along the north coast of the Solway within the Lower Annandale and Eskdale Local Plan area between Priestside in the west and Gretna in the east. These include:

TURLEYASSOCIATES 2519 PLACE - SURVEY

Figure 3.5 - 1859 Figure 3.6 - 1899 Figure 3.7 - 1931 Figure 3.8 - 1931 - Today

As a market town and port its physical Infrastructure grew in close proximity to Physical development still focuses on Rapidly physical growth skewed the towns growth was closely connected to the High the core and strengthened it the core with community facilities and form and created a disconnect between Street and core development around it neighbourhoods, communities and the town core

PPhysicalhysical DevelopmentDevelopment TThehe TownTown CoreCore TThehe TownTown CoreCore TThehe TownTown CoreCore TThehe TownTown CoreCore CCommunityommunity DevelopmentDevelopment

2620 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE - SURVEY .03 Historical Development and Townscape Diverging relationship between place and function 3.14 Annan is a town with an extremely rich history, some of which is common 3.17 Unlike previous phases of growth, the 1950/60s saw housing developed to many border towns and relates to its strategic location and resultant with little regard to its relationship with the Town Centre or rest of the town, periods of destruction and rebuilding, but also relating to innovation and and no relationship with the River Annan. It could have been anywhere. imagination. In the past Annan has been at the forefront of shipbuilding Isolated even today, it is just as easy for people to drive to Dumfries or and intercontinental trade as well as the supply of high quality building Carlisle from these areas as it is to get to Annan Town Centre. materials from its local Corsehill Quarry. These more recent feats, over the last 200 years, has placed Annan at the centre of cutting edge ingenuity, craftsmanship, engineering and industry. In many regards Annan has Disconnected Housing Areas been put on the map with a series of ‘events’ or ‘steps’ which have taken 3.18 Some housing areas in Annan can also be considered to be somewhat place and resulted in bursts of population growth and periods of physical isolated. The northern half of the town has a lack of clear and permeable development of the town. east west routes and there is limited penetration of public transport services. The areas of Kimmeter and Newington, in the north, as well as 3.15 Such ‘events’ include: Longmeadow (Welldale), adjacent to the harbour, have been identifi ed • River Annan bridging point through consultation as being quite isolated and with a lower quality of environment. The Kimmeter / Newington area also features within the • Market town, grain milling and cotton spinning Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation as ‘Annan North’ and ranked 484 in • Corsehill quarry, stone shipped all over the world the current index (ranked 751 in 2006 and ranked 1,064 in 2004). • Port industry (coastal brigs and schooners) 3.19 Although these areas are isolated there is still a high level of demand for • Port industry (including the construction of some of the largest Clipper ships in the world) affordable housing and currently all social rent stock is being upgraded in order that it satisfi es Scottish Housing Quality Standards (SHQS) by • North American trade established 2015 • Port associated industry – rail infrastructure established • Chapelcross built and begins generating power in 1959 3.20 The Harbour itself was subject to a feasibility study by Halcrow in 2004 which outlined a preferred option as a ‘High Investment’ model which aimed • Modern industry including pharmaceutical and food processing to restore key buildings, public realm improvements, establish the area as plants a visitor attraction, sustain local business and attract new businesses in 3.16 The towns growth was incremental and organic until the late 1950s and order to make the area an attractive place to live and work. To date no early 1960s when one of the most signifi cant periods of Annan’s physical signifi cant investment has been attracted to the area with issues such growth occurred following the construction of Chapelcross nuclear power as signifi cant fl ooding risk and land ownership likely reasons. Extensive station. The housing estates of Newington, Kimmeter and Springbells redevelopment of Annan Harbour represents an enormous project in itself comprise a large proportion of the northern part of the town and are but should also be considered in the context of improving the housing generally bounded by the A75 to the north, B6357 to the east, B721 area of Longmeadow as well as a means to potentially increase land (Scott’s Street) to the south and Hospital Road / Newington Road to the values and stimulate private investment. west.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 2721 PLACE - SURVEY

1 - The Town Centre 2 - The Harbour area 3 - Longmeadow 4 - Galabank 5 - Hecklegirth 6 - Summergate 7 - Back of the Hill 8 - Kimmeter / Springbells / Newington 9 - Northfi eld Park / Preston Gardens 10 - Stapleton Road 11 - Stapleton Road Industrial Estate

Figure 3.9 - Character Areas

2822 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE - SURVEY .03 Character Areas issue with regard to fl ooding at certain times of the year, the prevention of which is likely to be a signifi cant reason for the lack of investment and 3.21 Generally speaking there are areas within the town which function better interest from the private sector. than others. The areas which connect or respond to either the river or the town core tend to work better as places, and those that lack legibility 3.27 There is some housing in the vicinity which mostly lines Port Street but tend to become more isolated and subsequently deteriorate. Below are a there is also a mixture of industrial / commercial use nearer to the overhead number of areas of particular note. railway crossing.

Town Centre (1) 3.28 There has been some new residential development on the former ‘common land’ within the last 20 years which was intended as a catalyst 3.22 Annan town centre has a rich built form, the legacy of wealth generated for regeneration of the harbour area, this does not seem to have taken in the late 1800s and early 1900s through trade and industry. The stone effect. There are also issues regarding anti-social behaviour relating to used to construct the majority of the red sandstone buildings was quarried motor vehicle activity. from the Corsehill quarry less than one mile from the town hall. The town contains several signifi cant buildings at important junctions and beside Longmeadow (Welldale) (3) traditional public spaces in the town. 3.29 This consists of medium density housing comprising mostly of terraces 3.23 Strung along the High Street are several important public spaces which with some semi-detached housing built in the 1950s. The area has seen have been used traditionally as meeting points and market areas. These some investment recently which has been lead by DGHP as they bring spaces are formed along the northern side of the High Street so that they their housing stock up to Scottish Housing Quality Standards (SHQH) by take greatest advantage of the streets south facing aspect. 2015. Additional investment is however needed in the general environment and amenity spaces. The area benefi ts in terms of its proximity to the 3.24 The town’s conservation area covers the majority of the town centre. This River Annan, Elmvale Primary School and the train station although there area encompasses a number of listed buildings with both local, regional is a sense of isolation from the town centre. and national importance. By and large this part of the town gives Annan its individuality and identity. As such it should be strengthened and celebrated Kimmeter / Springbells / Newington (8) as a major town asset. 3.30 Constructed during the 1960s and 1970s, these areas lack legibility with no clear routes through and between the areas. Of particular note is the The Harbour Area (2) area of Kimmeter where the main route (Turnberry Crescent) meanders 3.25 The Harbour has not functioned for many years. The general area is into the housing area but does not then connect with other streets beyond. run down although some recent investment has seen resurfacing of the This lack of permeability and legibility can be disorientating and a lack of harbour car park. There is little or no evidence / record indicating the through traffi c causes the area to be isolated. historic importance of this part of town. 3.31 Within these areas there also appears to be a lack of amenity open space 3.26 There are a number of empty and semi-derelict warehouse buildings within and any existing spaces are generally of a poor quality. Dumfries and the harbour area toward the end of Port Street. There is a considerable Galloway Council will shortly be carrying out an open space audit across the town.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 2923 PLACE - SURVEY

Annan’s Palette of Materials

3.32 Much of Annan’s physical identity comes from a strong palette of local materials and a series of recognisable landmark buildings which help create a cohesive and legible town core.

3024 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE - SURVEY .03 Public Transport

3.33 Annan has a main local bus service (80) with a frequency of approximately every 35 minutes. At this frequency it may not provide a viable option to car use. Other less frequent services connect the town to Carlisle (79 with approximate frequency of every hour and a half), Lockerbie (383, twice daily), and Edinburgh (103, twice daily).

3.34 Other services include:

• Powfoot/Newbie 390 (3 daily) Figure 3.10 - Inverted Figure Ground Figure 3.11 - Inverted Road Infrastructure • Back of the hill 388 (2 daily) Number 80 (internal frequent service) Number 79 (service to Dumfries) • Falford Bridge 384 (2 daily) • Langholm 123 (1 daily) • Carlisle 179 (9 daily) • Carlisle 379 (3 daily) • Dumfries 385 (6 daily)

Rail 3.35 Regular connections to:

Train Stationn • Carlisle (1 service every 1/1.5 hours) via Gretna. Once at Carlisle connections are available north to Glasgow and Edinburgh, east to Newcastle and south toward Preston, Manchester and London. • Glasgow (approximately 1 every hour) via Dumfries and Kilmarnock. NB - Lockerbie railway station, located approximately 10 miles from Annan by road, is popular with Annan residents as there are additional routes served from here. Figure 3.12 - Bus Routes and Walking Distances

TURLEYASSOCIATES 3125 PLACE - SURVEY

Figure 3.13 - Land Use

3226 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE - SURVEY .03 Land Use Education

3.36 Annan benefi ts from a wide range of community facilities and indeed 3.41 Within Annan there are four primary schools; Elmvale Primary School, probably more than would be expected in relation to its size in terms of Hecklegirth Primary School, Newington Primary School and St physical size and population. Although it may not contain a facility linked Columba’s Primary School, and Annan Academy which serves a much specifi cally to arts and culture (which some surrounding settlements can larger catchment area taking in the settlements such as Gretna and boast) the town can offer a diverse range of alternative facilities even Eaglesfi eld. though some may require investment and modernisation. 3.42 Annan Academy also provides facilities that can be used by the general Community Infrastructure population of Annan and is also in the process of investing in and upgrading the swimming pool which is an extremely well used facility by Community Assets the community. Annan Academy is also on the verge of securing funding 3.37 Annan has traditionally been a wealthy town where industry and agriculture for a £5 million performing arts centre which will include a theatre, dance supported a reasonable sized population and service sector. studio and sound recording studios.

3.38 During the 1950s and 1960s there was rapid expansion of the town with large residential areas developed to cater mainly for incoming workers at Chapelcross and also to offer a ‘modern’ and lower density housing option within the town.

3.39 In response to this the towns facilities and services have at least matched this growth with the town supported by many facilities that other towns of relative size cannot boast (see fi gure 3.13 opposite), the likes of a swimming pool, cinema, large secondary school (with associated facilities) and shops.

Community Organisations 3.40 Annan has a well established network of sports clubs, societies and groups. However, the town lacks a central focus for these groups to either congregate or at least display notices.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 3327 PLACE - ANALYSIS

Figure 3.14 Figure 3.15 B722 B722

Annan High Street is the main east to west route through The Lack of clear east to west routes within the town the town while the A75 is the main east to west route past reduces permeability and potentially contributes to the the town isolation of neighbourhoods

3428 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE - ANALYSIS .03 Figure 3.16 Analysis Permeability 3.43 Annan’s street pattern has evolved in a similar fashion to many of Scotland’s market towns. The traditional high street has been the focus for the town and contains a series of public spaces defi ned by important buildings and where the street edge is set back at points to create the spaces. The High Street represents the main route through the town. Beyond the High Street lanes and wynds stretch north and south from the town core, some of which have been established over time as strategic routes, most notably the B772 and the B6357.

3.44 Although Annan is well connected to its hinterland its internal roads infrastructure is less legible and in fact quite impermeable, caused primarily by a lack of east to west routes both north and south of the central spine. The central spine is formed by High Street, Church Street

B722 and Scott’s Street and is effective in terms of orientation and traffi c fl ow.

3.45 The two main north to south routes run either side of the town offering connections to either the A75 by-pass or to the central spine and the town centre. Improving these routes and connections to the town centre and focusing spend within the town centre will be important to discourage people and spend leaving the town via the A75. In addition, there is a distinct lack of signage on the major road network, in particular the A75, which forms a barrier to drawing in passing trade and tourism to Annan.

3.46 With a lack of permeability and potential diffi culties with regard to easy access to the town centre, the north south routes, and the core itself, will have to be an attractive environment to continue to attract people and spend as an signifi cant alternative to car journeys to other towns outwith Annan via the A75.

The importance of the High Street as a destination emphasised and major pedestrian corridor linking across the town and onto north south routes

TURLEYASSOCIATES 3529 PLACE - ANALYSIS

Annan: A Walkable Town

Walkable Environments

3.47 Annan is contained with a very walkable framework. The geography of the settlement lends itself well to journeys on foot where the town core is reachable by a large proportion of the population by a 10 - 15 minute walk.

3.48 Reducing the need to own and use a car and encouraging greater pedestrian movement within can have many benefi ts which include health, cost and increased social interaction.

3.49 There are numerous shops, services and facilities located around the town which can be accessed by foot. It is therefore important that the routes between these are safe and attractive so that greatest opportunity is affordable to walking.

Importance of the High Street

3.50 Annan’s High Street and ‘spine’ are a major asset and provide a substantial pedestrian route through the heart of the town.

Figure 3.17 - A Walkable Town

3630 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE - ANALYSIS .03

Figure 3.18 - Outward journeys Figure 3.19 - Underused centre and core Figure 3.20 - Intensify the core

An Observation

3.51 In order that the town functions to its potential it 3.52 We have observed that the core of the town, 3.53 The result of this is that there is likely to be is essential that the core of the town functions centred on the high street, is surrounded a larger number of journeys made outwith the as well as it can, that it is a place where people by a number of under utilsed sites. These town to shop. Therefore by ‘re-densifying’ the will spend time and money and can be the potential sites along with some large single core through better use of upper fl oors and by focus for the community. land use areas, such as Annan Academy, have providing appropriate housing on under utilised an adverse effect on connecting the towns sites there will be a greater concentration of residential areas fully to the core. people living in very close proximity to central shops and services. This can also help to better connect the core to adjacent residential neighbourhoods.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 3731 PLACE

3832 TURLEYASSOCIATES PLACE .03 Summary of Key Issues and Opportunities

3.54 Annan is clearly a great place to live. It has a beautiful natural setting, a rich history and a large range of shops, services and facilities relative to its size, all of which are within a very walkable environment.

3.55 However, due the towns unproportionate growth north, specifi cally in the second half of the 20th Century, it has effectively moved away from its core and relationship between form and function has been compromised.

3.56 The result of this has been that the core has been allowed to degrade and empty. A physical disconnection between a large proportion of the towns population and its core has contributed to a much greater proportion of spend leaving the town and less custom within the high street which in turn affects the viable range of shops as well as the quality of the environment.

3.57 The arrival of Tesco on the towns eastern edge has stretched the core east. In order that the positive benefi ts of the store (retaining spend that may have gone to supermarkets in Carlisle and Dumfries) the high street must both compliment Tesco’s offer and provide a distinct and attractive alternative environment not just for shopping but for socialising and spending time.

3.58 In addition to this, and while holding an undoubted potential, the harbour area is a part of the town which is isolated and within the time scale of the next 10 years, does not offer the same opportunity to regenerate the town as a whole as the investment in the town core might.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 3933

CConsultation:onsultation: WWhathat llocalocal peoplepeople wwantant toto seesee

.04 TURLEY26 ASSOCIATES TURLEYASSOCIATES42 CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE .04 4.1 The masterplan team believe that effective community participation plays 1 06 October 2009 Household and schools post card drop a key role in the delivery of a masterplan that refl ects the aspirations of the 2 02 November 2009 Stakeholder and Local Businesses local community. Workshops 4.2 In line with best practice advice from the Scottish Government in Planning 3 14 & 15 November 2009 Mobile Community Engagement event Advice Note 81: Community Engagement - Planning with People, we have 4 14 & 15 November 2009 Future Walks undertaken extensive community engagement throughout this project. 5 04 December 2009 Projection Event This has involved our client, Dumfries and Galloway Council and the 6 19 March Masterplan ‘Pull Out’ in the Annandale Annan Regeneration Steering Group which consists of representatives Observer from numerous local organisations, community council members and local 7 08 April 2010 Final Stage Stakeholder and Local Councillors. We have provided opportunities for key stakeholders and the Businesses Workshops wider community to become involved at various stages and by using a 8 09 & 10 April 2010 Final Masterplan community exhibition number of innovative techniques so that they could directly infl uence the developing masterplan. Figure 4.1 - Consultation Timetable

Consultation Framework

4.3 The consultation framework is integral to good masterplanning and each stage of consultation has in turn informed the subsequent stage of the masterplans development.

• Magnox North (Chapelcross) Groups Involved • D&G Constabulary • Annan Tenants and Residents 4.4 Through regular meetings with the client group and • NHS Association the stakeholder and local businesses workshops the • Annan Community Council following groups were consulted on the masterplan: • DGHP • Lower Annan demonstration Project • Federation of small businesses • DGC Planning • D&G Arts Association • Clip ICT • DGC Community Learning and Development • Sulwath Connections project • Friends of Annandale and • DGC Service/Transport • Solway Heritage Eskdale Museums • DateDGC Conservation Event • Annan Initiative • Katalyst • DGC Economic Development • DG Council Elected members • Chamber of Commerce

TURLEYASSOCIATES 4335 CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE

Questions

Please take a couple of minutes to read and answer the questions below. Thank you. Q.1 - What are the key things to see and do in the town? 1 Q.2 - What are the best and worst parts of town, and why?

Q.3 - Where do children like to go?

Q.4 - Where is your favourite place in Annan?

Q.5 - What are the towns best and worst buildings?

Q.6 - What would you most like to see change / improve in Annan?

Answers

Q.1______2 ______Q.2______Q.3______Q.4______Q.5______Q.6______

Remember - continue answers / draw on a separate sheet if you require Your Map of Annan To help us understand the places people like to go in Annan and how they get there, we would like you to draw a very simple map of the route you would take from your house to your favourite place. Along the route please make some notes about what you see on the way, what you fi nd interesting and / or attractive or indeed what you fi nd less interesting and / or less attractive. Many thanks 3

Figure 4.2 - Consultation post card Figure 4.3 - Images generated through the consultation post card

4436 TURLEYASSOCIATES CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE .04 Householder and Local Schools Post Cards Response

4.4 The post cards provided an opportunity for residents to answer specifi c • The town has fantastic buildings which are neglected questions on the town and to complete a ‘mind map’ exercise aimed at • The maintenance of the town is poor helping us understand how people use their town. • The town needs a better range of shops 4.5 Being able to promote the masterplan process in this inclusive format at • Parks and open spaces should be improved the start of the project was very important and provided us with a tool for gaining valuable early information which helped our understanding of the • Good community facilities but there is a need for a focus of activities town greatly. With approximately 3,700 households in Annan it was hoped such as a Hub that around 5% – 10% of the post cards would be returned. The return of the post cards was either to the deposit boxes located at the Town Hall, Stakeholder and Local Businesses Workshops Somerfi eld supermarket, Costcutter supermarket and Pinney’s or by post. In total100 post cards were returned which represented a limited response 4.8 From the outset of this project the masterplan team has sought to involve of 2.7%, not uncommon, and provided a great pool of information for the and engage key stakeholders and local businesses. masterplan team to draw upon in terms of how people perceive and use the town. 4.9 The masterplan must be deliverable and therefore the involvement of local stakeholders is vitally important with a need for ‘sign up’ to the resultant st 4.6 The post cards themselves were hand delivered around Annan by the 1 proposals. The masterplan is required to be both fi nancially viable and Dumfriesshire Scouts and Adventures Scouts. The masterplan team also robust in planning terms, infl uenced by local sentiment and also informed set up a dedicated e-mail address (Annanregeneration@turleyassociates. by sound commercial practice. co.uk) for local people to either e-mail their responses to the questions posed on the card or provide more comprehensive views and opinions. The Workshops The team received an additional 20 responses through this method of feedback. 4.10 On the 2nd November 2009, 16 stakeholder representatives and 14 local business representatives took part in an afternoon and an evening 4.7 A variation of the post card was delivered to each of Annan’s schools in workshop respectively, focussing on the regeneration of Annan. The aim order for the children of Annan to have their say. A total of 2,000 post cards of the events were twofold, to generate discussion on progress to date were distributed around Annan’s fi ve schools. There was tremendous and to consider future opportunities for the town. response with over 400 cards completed and returned. 4.11 On the day of the event there were a series of presentations from the masterplan team which were used to stimulate group discussion. Attendees were seated in three groups where they each discussed the implications

TURLEYASSOCIATES 4537 CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE

4638 TURLEYASSOCIATES CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE .04 and opportunities relative to Annan as a place to live, work and visit. Each • There is no specifi c signposted visitor parking / lack of disabled group also had an opportunity to discuss the more general issue of ‘place parking / lack of long term parking making’ throughout. • Cafes and restaurants needed Key Issues • Poor choice of shops/lacks of variety

• Decline in cultural activities • Run down/disrepair • Parks are of insuffi cient quality • Harbour area – antisocial behaviour etc. • Lack of professional jobs – young people leave • Library in the wrong place • Community centre far too small • Harbour – great history – poor experience • Fragmented facilities • Too fragmented – too many things but not coherently related. • Important town buildings neglected • Lacks a Buccleuch type centre • There is a sense of segregation • Unlikely to attract repeat visits unless there is a family connection • There is a lack of coach parking for tourists and visiting sports fans • Not an attractive place to live or spend time • The backs of buildings and backland areas of the High Street are very unsightly • The bus station is in poor condition and isn’t very welcoming • Housing is too expensive for local people • Absentee landlords of upper fl oors mean fl oor space in the town centre is not used to its potential • Encourage growth within the town – community benefi t clauses with redevelopment of Chapelcross for example... • Business Gateway is ineffective • Lack of business networks in the town • Lack of civic pride

TURLEYASSOCIATES 4739 CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE

4840 TURLEYASSOCIATES CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE .04 Mobile Community Engagement Event Futurewalks

4.12 An important element within the consultation process was to have a series 4.14 The team arranged two Future Walk tours (14th and 15th November) of publicised events at a number of locations within the town. These which were designed to give a brief background to the history of the town, were held over the course of two days, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th imagine it at its most affl uent and consider what lessons can be learnt to November. The consultant team set up a gazebo outside busy locations imagine future opportunities for development and how to make the most around the town in order to engage with local people face to face. The of the town’s rich heritage. locations included: 4.15 The tours involved 15 people from the town and some issues that were • Queensbury Arms Hotel raised included: • Galabank Football Club • A focus for tourists and visitors • Somerfi eld supermarket • A Community Hub • Costcutter supermarket

Projection Event 4.13 Over the course of the two days the team spoke to over 200 people and through interviews recorded more than 50 peoples thoughts, opinions and 4.16 The innovative event took place on evening of Thursday 4th December and ideas. This process would form the basis for the subsequent projection followed the annual Christmas procession on Annan High Street which event as a forum to directly air peoples thoughts and ideas. includes the switching on of the Christmas lights. Following the lights the masterplan team subsequently projected a 10 minute fi lm onto the façade Responses of the Queensbury Arms Hotel on Annan’s High Street. • A focal point for tourists and visitors 4.17 The short fi lm gathered together some of the baseline research of the • An arts and culture centre masterplan and what the masterplan was trying to achieve and presenting it in audio visual manner. The fi lm included information on the history of • Improve and do more with the High Street the town and its important role in the region, a section playing back to the • ‘Start-up’ retail units in the town centre community their opinions and ideas from the community event and also displaying some of the emerging concepts and ideas for the masterplan. • Better use of upper fl oors in the town centre – intensify the town centre 4.18 The event was advertised as a notice in the Annandale observer the week preceding the event. Approximately 50 spectators viewed the fi lm on Annan High Street which in turn generated discussion and feedback on regeneration concepts and principles.

TURLEYASSOCIATES 4941 CONSULTATION: WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO SEE

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Further Consultation Exercises Consensus

4.19 Following the initial consultation the masterplan team developed the 4.20 From the outset of this project the masterplan team has sought to concepts and principles further, as well as specifi c projects. These are involve and engage local communities and other stakeholders. Such an detailed over the next few chapters and were the subject of two fi nal approach is encouraged in the 2006 Planning etc. Scotland Act but it is pieces of consultation: also a tremendously valuable method of learning from an informed local resource about the place where they live. • A masterplan ‘pull out’ in the Annandale Observer in order to identify priority regeneration projects; and Developing Themes

• Final stage exhibition which would detail the whole masterplan 4.21 It was clear that no radical changes to the town were identifi ed, in fact process and provide additional information and the series of potential the overwhelming view being carried forward was that the town was not regeneration projects. (these are detailed in Chapter 7) performing to its potential, making the most of what it already had.

4.22 Indeed the idea to Repair, Reinvent and Revitalise began to emerge and was something that encompassed many of the opinions and aspirations of the people of Annan.

4.23 These themes should help deliver the developing objectives of:

• Diversify the town • Reinstate pride • Improve the visitor experience • Improve the town’s service economy • Support existing and new businesses

TURLEYASSOCIATES 5143 TURLEYASSOCIATES 52 UUrbanrban DesignDesign FFrameworkramework

CConceptsoncepts andand KeyKey PPrinciplesrinciples

.05 URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK

5.1 From the initial stages of consultation it was clear that the masterplan needed to identify a number of concepts and key principles that would guide development in Annan over the next 10 to 15 years. Specifi c proposals and projects will need to demonstrate that they follow the concepts and principles and satisfy a number of project objectives.

5.2 Any identifi ed projects need to be a delivery vehicle for diversifi cation of the town. There will also be a need to prioritise projects so that the greatest benefi t to the town as a whole can be achieved. They should be about using the towns strong skeleton, its assets, and begin to implement the processes of repair, reinvention and revitalisation.

5.3 Renewal of this kind needs an engine to drive it forward, in the case of Annan such a vehicle could be housing. Enabling the town to re-densify its centre and best use sites in close proximity to the vast majority of shops and services can help give the town a boost in the short to medium term. However, with a lack of available public money and a depressed housing market where developers are struggling, such a vehicle can neither be relied upon or used exclusively.

5.4 Stimulating housing development alone will not deliver the plans strategic objectives. Complementary projects that improve the town’s environment and improve it as a place to visit and spend time will help the town realise, to a greater degree, its tourism potential that could in turn provide additional jobs in a more diverse range of employment groups.

5.5 An approach aimed at achieving this is in line with the objectives of CoReS:

• Wealth: to raise the income and living standards of residents in the corridor area; • Diversity: to provide new and different economic opportunities for sustainable growth in the area;

5444 TURLEYTURLEYASSOCIATESASSOCIATES URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK .05 • Inspiration: to offer a vision for the area which everyone can aspire Reinvent: Provide opportunity for new business to compliment existing to and be part of; and employment base.

• Inclusion: to ensure that residents are included and benefi t from Revitalise: Build upon its assets and create a vibrant town centre and regeneration. community to retain and attract key workers and businesses.

5.6 CoReS themes as key drivers for economic change: Key Principles

• Diversifying the existing Chapelcross base; 5.10 When these themes are considered in practical terms the following actions • Connectivity; have emerged: • Greater value business and resources; 1. Opportunity for some industrial and commercial businesses to • New sector opportunities; and relocate • Image. • Potential to offer local industrial and commercial businesses purpose new built units with better access and opportunity to expand 5.7 Any proposals identifi ed within this masterplan should give Dumfries and Galloway Council or other organisations the opportunity to approach sources of fi nance to test if there is the potential to secure the investment 2. Redevelop and intensify the town core required to fund this economic regeneration. It should also be recognised • Strengthen the Core: enhancing buildings and streets that private sector investment will also play a role. • Extend the Spine: offer areas of activity all along the High Street Concepts • Celebrate the Gateways: attractive entrance points to the town • Introduce a Community Hub: a focus for residents and visitors 5.8 Regeneration is very much about working with what you’ve got. Annan is a fantastic town and this has come across very clearly from all areas of • Housing: introduce a range of homes close to shops and services consultation.

5.9 The town has a skeleton of assets that can be maximised to stand it in good stead for a prosperous future. In order for the town to do this it should consider its assets and apply the following:

Repair: Maximise its assets: High Street, walkable environments and community infrastructure.

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3. Strategic Interventions • Southern Parkland (see page 79) routes Improvement to the housing areas of Longmeadow, Kimmeter, Newington • The improved High Street as a pedestrian spine linking across the and Springbells town • Some of the existing stock of social rented housing in parts of Annan is generally perceived as low quality. Demand for social rented Signage and Interpretation Maps stock in these areas far outstrips supply and that which is owned by Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) for example has extensive waiting lists. Social landlords are providing ongoing ‘Ambassador Routes’ - Approach roads to the town investment so their stock achieves the Scottish Government’s • B722 (potential upgrade to A road): north west town approach Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SQHS) by 2015. In the longer term, opportunities will be explored to identify sources of funding • B6357: north east town approach that may allow more signifi cant regeneration of this stock and open • B731: eastern and western approach spaces.

Limited development of open space edges to defi ne ‘Southern Parkland’ • Some housing development over looking park areas • Creating attractive pedestrian connections from east to west, the pipeline to the river

Strategic Pedestrian and Cycle Routes - ‘Circuits’ • Pipeline » Potentially a key recreational resource with arts and heritage trails » Connecting to the River Annan / Annandale Way either along the Solway coast or through a ‘Southern Parkland’ will help create a walking circuit » Potentially a draw for tourism

5646 TURLEYASSOCIATES URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK .05 The Bridge Gateway

5.13 Bridge House, built in the mid 18th Century, is one of the oldest buildings in Annan and certainly its most prominent. The building has been laying in a state of disrepair since the 1990s.

5.14 While the costs are signifi cant, Bridge House is such an important building not only in its historical signifi cance but in terms of its location at a gateway to the town, that we believe it is an extremely important aspect of the regeneration proposals. It has also become clear that the building is very important to the people of Annan with a huge majority insisting that it should be brought into productive use and preserved. Indeed, recently work has begun on the buildings restoration and redevelopment by David Smith which will bring the building back into residential use.

5.15 Like Bridge House, Carrs sits in a geographically important location. While there are tractors and various items in the street in front of the Fig 5.1 - Stunning western approach at the core: Bridge House and Town Hall shop, in themselves they are not an unattractive entry point. However, Carrs themselves are interested in moving to a site outwith the town, to Strengthen the Core allow better access and expansion. The issue in the past has been the restrictive planning policies in the area. 5.11 There has been signifi cant investment over the past 10 years, most recently through the THI project, in the core of the town focusing on the 5.16 This is an important opportunity to consolidate the core of the town and we High Street. A key aspect of this investment has been at the western advise strongly that the Carrs site is re-developed, probably for a housing end of the High Street around the Town Hall. It is around this area, taking development at an overall medium density. in Bridge House, the top of Port Street and Greencroft Wynd that the masterplan team has identifi ed as ‘the core’. Harbour Gateway

5.12 The fi rst step in the masterplan was to identify a number of key projects 5.17 As has been identifi ed the harbour area is relatively isolated from the town that would further strengthen this core and the investment which has centre. Improvements to the area around ‘old’ and ‘new’ Port Street would already been made. The proposed projects will aim to celebrate what serve as a much improved gateway to lower Port Street and the Harbour area. This would effectively begin to break down the distance between is one of Annan’s best assets, its western approach and entrance via the High Street and the harbour and contribute to an improved pedestrian the bridge. The re-development of a number of key buildings and sites environment. include; Bridge House and potential new build within the curtilage, Carrs Billington (agricultural supplier, hereafter referred to as Carrs)1 and also 5.18 Any development proposals at the harbour would need to remedy fl ood public realm investment around ‘old’ and ‘new’ Port Street. risk which impacts a large proportion of the area.

1 - It should be noted that Carrs Billington is a well established and important business within the town. It is the intention of the masterplan TURLEYASSOCIATES team that the fi rm remains within Annan and that a suitable, alternative location is sought allows the fi rm to continue a prominent trade 5747 and that also fi ts with the key principles outlined in this document. URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK

Figure 5.2 - Annan’s traditional High Street with market spaces is a major asset

Figure 5.3 - Celebrating major crossing points and opportunities for development

5848 TURLEYASSOCIATES URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK .05 Extend the Spine potential that Farmfoods could be an issue in the regeneration of this space and this gateway to the town centre. 5.19 Signifi cant investment has already taken place on the High Street. Maximising the impact of this investment going forward requires the 5.23 In particular the opportunity presented by the site currently occupied by upgrading of materials, street furniture and lighting to extend east along Farmfoods, which sits as part of a triangular budget retail core, is untapped High Street to at least Fish Cross and possible in terms of public realm at this moment in time. While we accept that the car parking to the front of and lighting slightly further to Annan Old Parish Church. Fish Cross itself Farmfoods is important for their retail function we do not consider that the should be considered to be a signifi cant opportunity for not only public current layout is a positive element of townscape and actually contributes realm improvements and expansion of public space, but also some limited to a drop in quality at this point along the High Street. re-development and rehabilitation. 5.24 The proposed solution would see the re-development of the area to the front Lady Street / Bank Street of Farmfoods and an alternative parking solution being found elsewhere. This would provide a much stronger street edge to Fish Cross and would 5.20 Where Lady Street and Bank Street cross High Street is an extremely allow not only Farmfoods but other buildings including restaurants, pubs important junction is formed which connecting two very important north and cafes to spill onto the open space at Fish Cross. Potentially an outdoor south routes. This provides signifi cant focus on the High Street and entertainment space, perhaps for a bar or restaurant, could be created at indeed is celebrated with a number of landmark buildings at its edges. this important point along the High Street and could effectively partner the The development of this route, and particularly Bank Street to the south, investment that is taking place toward the west of the High Street. is intrinsically linked with the improvement of the train station arrival point or gateway and celebrating the link to the town centre. 5.25 On arrival at the High Street from the east, views of Fish Cross are relatively unattractive, particularly with regard to the bus station on Butt 5.21 Bank Street is interesting because there are a number of key public Street. The improvement of Fish Cross will form part of a broader strategy buildings along its length, some of them derelict or under utilised and that involves improvement to the bus station and potentially also to the which could be brought back into life. Rather than just attempting to key buildings on Butt Street. improve the public realm or lighting on Bank Street, arguably it’s more important to focus on the re-development and re-activation of some of Interventions and Points of Interest on the Spine these fantastic buildings, such as the Victoria Halls complex. We believe this is the priority for this particular route. 5.26 There exists the potential to develop / redevelop a series of sites next to or in close proximity to the spine, these include the following: Fish Cross • Scott’s Street 5.22 Fish Cross itself has huge potential but the impact of public realm investment will be lost without some subsequent re-development of • Solway Street potential sites and refurbishment of key buildings. Improvements to shop • Mafeking Place fronts etc may help this but they will not solve the problem. There is the

TURLEYASSOCIATES 5949 URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK

Figure 5.4 - Annan’s Gateways and Arrival Points

6050 TURLEYASSOCIATES URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK .05 Gateways and Arrival Points are historical legacies from the development of the town. Current footway provision is unsatisfactory and there is a clear disconnect in terms of 5.27 Proposals for the towns Gateways include a combination of public realm footways from the station to the town centre. improvements and lighting schemes as well as public art and in some case development and restoration and redevelopment of existing buildings. 5.33 Unlike arriving to the town by bus where visitors can orientate themselves as they travel through the town before alighting, arriving by train can be Bridge Gateway quite disorientating if there are no clear routes when exiting the station. Indeed, this is the case at Annan railway station. Therefore an opportunity 5.28 As discussed previously the bridge affords a very dramatic entrance to exists to not only improve the public realm leading from this area towards the town from the west. This should be celebrated through the Bridge the town, but also to provide more sympathetic and attractive development Gateway investment scheme identifi ed in Chapter 6. to frame views towards the Central Hotel which then implies a route further north towards the High Street. Butt Street / Bus Station Gateway

5.29 Although a prominent arrival point by visitors to the town, the bus station Eastern Gateway is hampered by facing into the back of the High Street and also by the fact 5.34 Following the development of Tesco at the eastern edge of the town there that Fish Cross, the key gateway to the town from the bus station, is not could be further efforts made to contribute to a more signifi cant Eastern of a particularly high standard. Gateway to the town. In addition to Tesco, the development of the site south of Scott’ Street and encompassing the existing scrap yard would 5.30 The opportunity to link the development of the bus station with the re- help provide a more attractive gateway for the towns central spine. development of Fish Cross is signifi cant and we believe realistic. This should be pursued as a priority. Northern Gateways

5.31 Butt Street as it enters the core of the town has the disadvantage of 5.35 On approach from the north east along the B6357 (Stapleton Road), and running past Costcutter and Somerfi eld supermarkets and an unused and on exiting the A75, there is certainly an opportunity to provide either a boarded up number 6 Butt Street (B listed). Similarly as it crosses Fish landscape or artistic feature, potentially as part of the Stapleton Road Cross and runs south it is not particularly attractive. A combination or re- development, that could not only serve as a welcoming point but also development, improvement and public realm improvement could complete signage to attract visitors off the by-pass. this picture. 5.36 The B722 provides an important route to the Town’s northern hinterland. Railway Station Gateway This route could also be improved in the future to aid vehicle movement between the town and the future redeveloped Chaplecross site. Therefore 5.32 Currently the train station fails to be a successful arrival point for the town. improvements such as improved lighting and potential art work could At this arrival point visitors and residents of the town enter and face the provide a suffi cient gateway feature. back of industrial premises, such as the Post Offi ce sorting offi ce, which

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Figure 5.5 - Potential Development Sites

TURLEY52 ASSOCIATES TURLEYASSOCIATES62 URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK .05 Intensify the Town - Potential Sites Close to the Spine Parking

5.37 In our research of Annan to date we feel there is a signifi cant amount of 5.41 There has been a great deal of discussion throughout the community land that sits to the north and south of the High Street that is currently engagement phase on the limitations or apparent limitations of car parking covered by back land development. Much of this is of value, particularly in the town. From the outside we believe there is a signifi cant amount of sites which comprise unsuitable town centre uses or buildings / uses that free car parking available in the town compared to many of the towns could be better served in a different location. These sites are relatively and villages we work and cities we work in. There is a good supply of isolated, divided, poorly connected and not exploited to anywhere near its free parking. The issue is that the parking is no longer directly in front of potential. shops and people’s tendency locally seems to be to park very close to the shops that they are going to use and for the shopkeepers obviously this 5.38 Given the market of the town and its economic profi le it is questionable has been a source of much concern. whether we could see back land development anywhere near to the scale of mews type approaches in larger towns and cities. However we believe 5.42 The parking strategy going forward very much depends on whether parking there are signifi cant opportunities for re-development, for improvement is located to address this concern or perhaps to address the potential of and for better organisation of these back land spaces and possibly even the site as a visitor attraction. Visitor parking and retail parking are quite connections between them. It is our view that there is a huge untapped different animals with quite different requirements. Any parking strategy resource directly on the edges of the High Street that could become a therefore must emerge from the overall masterplan approach. number of important projects in their own right. Coach and Overspill Parking at The John Bell Playing fi eld 5.39 The consideration of back land development is important in the context of the continued growth of the town. Annan is reaching a point where 5.43 This 100 place car-park is less than 400m from the High Street junction it cannot grow much further to the north and where for environmental with Bank Street and Lady Street, between fi ve and 10 minutes walk. The reasons there is limited growth opportunity to the south that does not re- car-park in question is on the John Bell Playing Field and seems to be develop on greenfi eld land or potentially even safeguarded recreational used exclusively by Hecklegirth Primary School. When not used by the space. Never-the-less there is a housing market in the town particularly school the gate to the car-park is usually closed and locked. for affordable housing and particularly for affordable housing for older people or for young couples, single households etc. 5.44 The land comprising the John Bell Playing Field and car-park is a Common Good asset and while it is used for particular events including the twice 5.40 Terraced housing or some fl atted accommodation is an ideal approach to yearly Fairs in May and October and the Riding of the Marches, there is the development of back land spaces. To the north of the High St there are the potential for this car park to be better used throughout the year as also signifi cant opportunities for back land development associated with either overspill car parking for the town centre and potentially for coach the site of the currently ‘dog eared’ library. These could provide an ideal parking after dropping tourists in the town centre. base for small local business units sitting in a high quality environment.

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